Rehberg Announces Grants That Will Invest In Montana; Create More Than 500 New Jobs

U.S. Representative Denny Rehberg (R-MT) announced today that the U.S.
Department of Agriculture (USDA) will award grants in Montana for nearly one
million dollars in funding and loans for rural economic development and job
creation.

Last week Rehberg and USDA Secretary Ann Veneman conducted a business
roundtable discussion in Missoula to address Montana’s critical needs for
economic development and disaster assistance.

Today the USDA announced it would be awarding nearly one million dollars in
funding for Sanders and Silver Bow counties that would create more than 500
new jobs and will preserve several dozen jobs currently in danger of being
eliminated.

"Secretary Veneman heard from the people of Montana last week and has today
answered our call for rural economic development funding and job creation
assistance," said Rehberg.

"This funding will assist existing and emerging businesses in several rural
communities and will directly lead to the creation of more than 500 new
jobs. I commend the President and the Secretary of Agriculture for so
quickly responding to our calls for help with this initial investment,"
concluded Rehberg.

More than half a dozen communities will benefit from these grants,
including:

· $23,000 in Rural Development grant funds will be used to provide technical
assistance to existing and emerging small businesses throughout Sanders
County.

· $750,000 in Rural Development funds will be used to provide low-interest
loans to public and nonprofit organizations to relend for business and
community development via the Butte Local Development Corporation.